Thirty years after the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel skywalks collapsed, I have learned that the Hyatt Hotel Corporation will not contribute to a memorial for the victims of the worst structural failure in U.S. history. “We are disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to continue to operate the hotel and as such, Hyatt will not be making a donation to the Skywalk Memorial,” said a letter dated Nov. 30 from Rusty Macy, general manager of the former Hyatt Regency Crown Center.

The scene on July 18, 1981, the day after the collapse of the skywalks at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Kansas City. The collapse killed 114 people. Photo: Kansas City Star

The disaster killed 114 guests and employees at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City and injured more than 200 others.

I suspect the Hyatt Hotel Corporation has made millions of dollars operating the hotel during the past three decades. It should donate a small portion of those profits to the Skywalk Memorial.

I implore the Hyatt Hotel Corporation to reconsider its action; For the sake of your company’s credibility and out of respect for the victim’s of the Hyatt Regency skywalk collapse.

The skywalk collapse was the worst structural failure in U.S. history. Photo: Kansas City Star

Where is the Hyatt’s corporate responsibility? Your company is in the hospitality business. Why is it inhospitable to the memories of the hotel guests and employees who died in your hotel? Where is your corporation’s sense of human decency?

Because of the Hyatt Hotel Corporation’s action, I must now boycott Hyatt properties as an act of conscience dedicated to the memories of the innocent men, women and children who died and were injured in the Hyatt Regency Hotel collapse.

Please reconsider this decision. Honor and help memorialize those Hyatt Regency Hotel guests and employees who died at your property 30 years ago.